Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 4:7-23, Ezra 7-10
Our reading today in Ezra 4:7-23 reminded me of how those who don't know God, and are against Christians, have some fear in them and respect for God's power, demonstrated in their hatred for God.
Here Rehum wrote to Artaxerxes the king about how the Jews (early use of the term "Jews" here, mostly men of Judah) came back to work on and rebuild Jerusalem, and how he wanted them to stop now before they got too far, because the Jews would go on their own then and have no need for King Artaxerxes.
King Artaxerxes followed through and wanted the work to stop, before the Jews grew powerful again.
Even those that don't live for Christ can see His power at times, and are fearful of Him. This complaining from Rehum was really fear and therefore respect of God's power. He thought they should stop it now, because it would get out of his control.
Do we realize and respect the power God has and uses? Is there anything that can stop God? He is in control at all times.
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Ezra shows that he is a man of God, and leads the Israelites back, with King Artaxerxes blessing. Two things stood out to me about Ezra, and how he humbly trusted in God for protection as he lead the Israelites away. They normally would have needed armed guards for protection as they crossed dangerous territory, but Ezra was ashamed to ask for help from King Artaxerxes, and God still protected Ezra.
The second thing was how ashamed Ezra was at the sin the Israelites returned to, shortly after getting a huge break in King Artaxerxes allowing them to leave for their homeland. The Israelite men then gave up their foreign wives and children, which couldn't have been easy, but showed a commitment to God.
Ezra's story reminded me in some ways of Moses story. Both men weren't perfect, but lead God's people to a better land, and had to deal with followers that couldn't help themselves and sinned along the way to a better place.
A good reminder of how Jesus sticks with us sinners along the way of life, we are far from perfect, but He forgives. Makes me thankful for a wonderful saviour.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Nehemiah 1-4
2 comments:
I too was impressed by Ezra and his desire and decision to trust in God during their journey and not asking for protection in the way of guards. He was aware of the dangers but chose to trust God.
A good reminder that God is more powerful than any danger and that we need to place our trust in Him.
I also noted Ezra's willingness to trust in God over the might of men.
9:9 For we were slaves, but in his unfailing love our God did not abandon us in our slavery.
I know I'm taking it out of context, but it does does to the truth that God has not abandoned us to our slavery to sin. In his unfailing love he has provided a way to rescue us!
There was also a reminde of how important it is for Christians to marry fellow believers.
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